Electromyographic Activation of Lumbar Multifidus Muscle Induced by Horizontal Shoulder Extension Exercise: Comparison of Four Intensity Levels of the Exercise

등척성 견관절 수평 신전 운동의 강도에 따른 다열근의 활성도 비교

Purpose : To identify whether isometric shoulder horizontal extension (ISHE) exercise could sufficiently activate the lumbar multifidus muscle, and to determine appropriate exercise intensity to increase muscle strength. Methods : Twenty healthy volunteers (10 males and 10 females) participated in this study. ISHE exercises on the dominant side were performed with $90^{\circ}$ shoulder abduction held in $90^{\circ}$ elbow flexion so that their arms were in the horizontal plane. Electromyographic (EMG) measurements of multifidus activation were performed in standing and supine positions, and were taken under four strength conditions: 75%, 50% and 25% of maximum shoulder horizontal extension strength, and maximum strength. Results : The EMG activations of both lumbar multifidus increased significantly with ISHE exercises of larger % strength (p<.05). In their multifidus EMG data measured in standing and supine positions, men differed significantly in their 75%, 50% and 25% strength for both sides (p<.05), and women differed significantly in their 75%, 50% and 25% strength on their 5th lumbar vertebrae's left side, but 75% only for their 5th lumbar vertebrae's right side (p<.05). The EMG data of 5th lumbar vertebrae's left and 5th lumbar vertebrae's right sides appeared to differ significantly at all strength levels for men while standing, but only at the 25% level for women in the supine position (p<.05). These findings indicate that ISHE exercises can be considered a beneficial method to enhance the multifidus strength. Conclusion : This study provides useful information for further study in this field.